Changing the menu key in mame4all
-
So I'm trying to get mame4all working on my Pi 3, but the only keyboard I have is half broken. Most of the keys don't work, such as enter, left arrow, z, and tab. I'm trying to bind the keys to a usb controller, but can't open the menu in mame4all. Any way to change the key that opens the menu in the config, or do I need to buy a new keyboard?
-
It doesn't seem like theirs another way out and your gonna need another keyboard. Unless you take the keys off and try to find exactly where you can input tab or whichever key opens the menu ( I haven't used Mame in awhile). Another option would be if you have a friend with a keyboard he could bring it and then open the menu so you could change the key opening the menu is bound to. However I am not super good with the retroarch files and there might be a way to change the keyboard on their, but I am unsure.
-
@weed_snorkeler why mame4all? you wouldn't have this problem with mame2003 where the mame menu is by default R2 (which could temporarily bind to something else, all via the controller).
-
Wow I never knew the menu was r2, thanks for the info.
-
@dankcushions Ok, I'll try it. I used mame4all because I heard it had the best performance. Thanks for the tip.
-
@weed_snorkeler said in Changing the menu key in mame4all:
do I need to buy a new keyboard?
I take you don't use a computer at home? It wouldn't be a bad thing to have keyboard where all the keys work. That way you can test any/all emulators. Several of the keys mentioned are default MAME keys which further limits/requires additional configuration tweaking. Not to mention the Enter key I think is required for some configuration tasks like raspi-config, etc.
If you're on a tight budget I think you can slide in under that sub $10 category for a vanilla board or possibly even cheaper in a 2nd hand store, thrift shop, rummage sale or maybe you know someone recycling one that's being 86'd.
-
@riverstorm I don't have a desktop, I only have a laptop. I've been turning off my Pi and editing the config files from the sd card. I'm going to need to get a keyboard some time soon though, I need one.
-
@weed_snorkeler said in Changing the menu key in mame4all:
@riverstorm I don't have a desktop, I only have a laptop. I've been turning off my Pi and editing the config files from the sd card. I'm going to need to get a keyboard some time soon though, I need one.
Ah, that makes sense! I was like this is a first. I do keep an extra keyboard and mouse handy and also the Logitech K400 Plus (wireless w/dongle) which I mainly use for the Pi as it's has an almost full size keyboard, glide/mouse pad off to the right (all-in-one) and the USB dongle is the micro type. It's well suited for doing tweaks in front of the TV. They always seem to be on sale every few months at half price for $20.
Ok, I'll try it. I used mame4all because I heard it had the best performance. Thanks for the tip.
We were having a discussion if mame4all is a valid emulator in this thread (the last 3 or 4 posts). I am a strong advocate for mame4all-pi for the reason you stated and few others. I think the feature and ROM differences are subjective to your needs and I'm not sure if anyone has done any type of actual benchmarking as to which runs games better/smoother framerates. I was a die-hard mame4all-pi user and only converted due to some feature enhancements. I do use lr-mame2003 as my default @dankcushions has made some nice tweaks to improving lr-mame2003 over time.
Another thing I don't care for that wasn't listed in that thread is when you pause in lr-mame2003 the screen goes blank/black which seems simple enough but it's a bit annoying for some reason when you're used to mame4all-pi where the screen is "froze" on pause. It helps to see where you're at before un-pausing. It's easy enough to get around by disabling pause in lr-mame2003 and using Retroarch to pause but I had a dedicated P button on my box that no longer works but the joystick is fine.
For me it's minor issues/polish but not enough to stop me from using lr-mame2003 and I do keep mame4all-pi ROM set handy if needed. I think mame4all-pi is so universally ported it will always have a place. I would try both if even for contrast. I have it on a iPad even and it runs well but there's not much to say for the controls on a touch screen. :)
Contributions to the project are always appreciated, so if you would like to support us with a donation you can do so here.
Hosting provided by Mythic-Beasts. See the Hosting Information page for more information.